Chapter 15: Awakening

The voices around Harry didn't make sense- they sounded miles away. He didn't want to open his eyes or move, but the realization that he was alive stirred him. His eyes slowly opened to a blurry white room.

A healer bustled over to him and put his glasses on for him. His entire body felt like lead and his head was pounding. The healer was a woman with a serious expression. Worry shone in her eyes, as she asked questions to which Harry couldn't focus on right now.

"WherezGinny?" Harry slurred worriedly.

"Mr. Potter, you need your rest!" The healer told him briskly. "Close your eyes…"

"No!" Harry choked out angrily. "Where Ginny? Where's Kyra?" He asked, ignoring his lack of proper verbal structure.

The healer frowned and sighed. "She went home days ago. She's fine. As for the elf, she's staying at the Ministry, awaiting for the time when you become strong enough to speak with her."

Harry wanted desperately to get out of bed, but his health prevented him from doing so. His desperation to see Ginny and Kyra was making him sleepy. Soon, his exhaustion took over him and he fell lax against his pillows.

Harry winced as he opened his eyes. The sun was pouring into his room and blinding him. Slowly, he opened his eyes again. The same healer he had met before bustled over to him.

"How do you feel?" She asked worriedly.

"Much better," Harry told her truthfully.

The healer sighed. "Well, you may go home now. There's not much more you can do here. I'll just ask you take it easy and take a special potion twice a day. You'll need a lot of rest, but you'll feel one hundred percent in a few weeks."

Harry nodded, and watched as the healer brought him his emerald green robes.

"Just change quickly, and I have a port key for you!" The healer told him kindly.

Harry thanked the healer and she left the room for him to change. He sat up slowly, feeling shaky and weak, though much better than before.

He pulled on his robes quickly, and then the healer hurried back in moments later with an ingredient list for his potion, along with a black cane.

"You'll need this, Mr. Potter," She said briskly, handing him the cane. "And make sure you follow these instructions carefully for the potion."

Harry nodded, and tucked the list into his pocket. He slowly got to his feet, and took a shaky step forward. It was much easier to walk with the cane.

"Here's your portkey," The healer added, handing him a large silver paperclip. "Contact us if you have any questions or concerns"

Harry nodded once more and took the portkey. Immediately, his feet left the ground, and he was pulled off to his home.

Harry appeared in Ginny's house. He nearly toppled to the ground when he landed. He steadied himself with the cane and looked around. Suddenly, Ginny ran down the stairs and froze when she saw him.

"Ginny!" Harry called out hoarsely. A smile appeared on his face.

Ginny rushed to him and wrapped her arms tightly around him. Harry hugged her tightly, never wanting to let her go. Tears formed behind his green eyes and when he finally released her, her eyes shone with tears as well.

"I was so worried," Ginny said softly, her tears threatening to spill onto her cheeks.

"You were worried? You were missing for two days! I was so afraid… then Kyra… oh god… I thought I'd died!"

"She told me," Ginny said softly, hastily wiping her eyes. She glanced at Harry's cane and sniffed miserably. "I'm so sorry, Harry…. You could have died because of me! You almost did! The Death Eaters are furious and they're up and about… horrible attacks have happened, Harry!"

Harry shook his head. "Please don't apologize. I would gladly die for you if it meant you'd be safe. I wanted Hope to have her mother… I did what I could."

Ginny stepped forward and embraced him again, her body shaking with sobs. Harry held her as she cried. Finally, when she managed to calm herself, he said,

"Where's Hope?"

"Upstairs" Ginny replied, wiping hastily at her tears again.

"I need to see her," Harry pleaded, knowing he'd need help up the stairs.

Ginny nodded and took his hand, helping him up the stairs. She pushed open the door to Hope's bedroom, where she sat in her crib, playing with stuffed animals.

At seeing her parents, Hope smiled and reached up to be picked up. Ginny scooped her up and helped Harry into a chair so he could hold his daughter.

He held Hope in his arms, tears re-forming in his eyes. He kissed his daughter's cheek lovingly and thanked the gods for letting him be with his daughter and wife again.

"I love you so much, Hope." Harry said firmly, brushing warm locks of red hair from the child's face.

Hope giggled and reached out for his glasses again. Harry had to smile, as he pushed his glasses back up higher on his nose. He kissed Hope's forehead and basked in the joy that he had his family back.

Hope was looking around her room with mild interest, then back at her father. "Dadda!" Hope said clearly, her voice full of excitement.

Harry smiled. "Yes, angel. Daddy!"

"Dadda! Where cow?" She asked, tilting her head slightly.

Ginny handed Hope her stuffed cow and Hope giggled. "Moo!" She squealed, shoving the cow close to Harry's face. "Moo! Moooo!"

Ginny laughed at Hope and knelt down beside Harry. She wrapped her arms around her husband's neck and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Mama! Moo!" Hope giggled.

"Yes, Hope" Harry encouraged. "Moo!"

The happiness of simply being with his family was overwhelming. He loved them both so much!

"How are you feeling?" Ginny asked after a moment, when Hope became amused with whipping her cow up and down and up and down.

"Much better now that I'm with you two again." Harry admitted.

Ginny kissed his cheek and stood. "I've got to go let Mum know you're back. She's positively worried sick about you."

Harry nodded and continued to sit with Hope. Yawning, Hope leaned against Harry's shoulder. He rubbed her back gently. He felt so relaxed and calm with her. Minutes past and Hope closed her eyes, falling asleep on his shoulder, clueless as to how close she had come to not having either of her parents.

That evening, Ginny and Hope accompanied Harry to see Kyra at the Ministry. Commander Ziles had boarded her in the backrooms, with nice accommodations. Ginny held Hope, while Harry, steadying himself with the cane and knocked on the door.

Kyra opened the door, her long black hair framed her exhausted face, but she smiled kindly at them. She let them all in wordlessly, and showed them to the sitting area.

"I've been told you wanted to see me," Harry said politely, sitting next to his wife.

Kyra nodded, a pleasant expression on her pale face. "Thank you for coming. I have much to say to you in little time. My return to my city is drawing near, and I must leave soon. I am glad to see you both up and well."

Ginny bounced Hope in her lap, who was staring curiously at Kyra, who kept throwing odd glances at the small child.

"Firstly, I must thank you, Harry Potter. You have saved my life and I am forever in your debt. Second, I must apologize to you, Ginny. I realize I was rather harsh with you the entire time we were down there. Understand my state of health was critical, and I to survive, I need to conserve my energy…"

"It's understandable, Kyra… you've been through a lot." Ginny said earnestly

"Modesty is rare among those who have such good fortunes," Kyra said quietly. "I am impressed with your powers and personality"

Ginny's cheeks turned pink. "Thank you"

"Serenlily was kind enough to fill me in on how you planned to rescue us from that horrid Death Eater. It was a mighty risk on your part. You could have died, and you were lucky the Death Eaters who responded to the Dark Mark weren't as bright as to immediately contact their boss from your location in the forest"

"I was hoping for the best of luck. I was willing to die for Ginny." Harry replied firmly

Kyra gave an odd sort of smile.

"Nobility… so the legends are true. You are a very kind-hearted wizard, of that I have no doubt"

Ginny glanced at Harry, and took his hand, as if telling him she agreed with Kyra.

"No amount of gold or words could tell you how grateful I am for your deed. I can only say I will repay you in one way or another… therefore, I would like you to have this…"

Kyra pulled a silver necklace off her neck, over head, and handed it to Harry. Hanging off the silver chain was a circular border. Inside, it contained a strange symbol made of gold. In the center, was a small, triangular-cut ruby.

Harry stared at it, amazed by its beauty. He looked up at Kyra, who explained what it was.

"This was given to me by my mother. The symbol in the center is the symbol in the elven language for both power and nobility. It is a priceless pendent, that very few have. They are very old and very valued among the elves. I ask that you have it. Another value it might mean to you is during an emergency, it may gain your entrance into my city. Its enchanted powers would guide you into our safety."

Harry proudly put it around his neck.

"Thank you!" He said gratefully. "I shall wear it with pride."

Kyra smiled, eyes glowing with power.

"No, thank you, Mr. Potter."

Harry and Ginny stood and said their final good-byes. Thanking Kyra again, they left, feeling very fortunate indeed. Harry wrapped his free arm around Ginny's waist and kissed her.

Things were finally getting better.